There are just two matches in the English Championship in mid-week and one of them sees Cardiff city welcome Bolton Wanderers to the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday night.
This match is a game in hand for both teams over the rest of the league, all of whom have played 31 matches in comparison to Cardiff and Bolton, who have played 30 games.
For the hosts, this match presents the perfect opportunity to move 9 points clear of 7th place Preston North End, the team currently sitting just outside the playoff zone. As for Bolton, they need the points to ease their relegation worries as they are just 2 points clear of the bottom three.
Cardiff City come into this match having been held to a 1-1 draw at Millwall on the weekend. Having taken the lead in the 3rd minute, Cardiff were hopeful of taking maximum points but in the long run, a point at The Den is not a bad result.
Trends show Cardiff are unbeaten in their last four Championship games and this sees a return to form following a poor run of four straight defeats in the league. Comprehensive 4-0 and 4-1 wins over Sunderland and Leeds United respectively have seen the confidence return to the Cardiff team.
At home, Cardiff have scored 2 or more goals five of their last seven Championship games and will be hoping to do the same in this match.
Bolton make the trip to south Wales having been held to a 1-1 draw at home to Fulham on the weekend. That result means it is now three matches unbeaten in the Championship, although all three games have been at home.
Bolton have been very difficult to beat in recent games at the Macron Stadium but their form on the road is a different story.
Trends show Bolton have won just one match away from home in the Championship this season. The victory came at Sheffield United in a 1-0 win and shows Bolton can defeat teams above them in the league but they have lost four of their last five away league games.
Not only that but they have been conceding goals and Bolton have allowed 2 more goals to be scored against them in four of their last five away Championship matches. This is going to be a big test for Bolton at a team looking to win promotion.
Team news and Cardiff are monitoring the fitness of Craig Bryson and Matthew Connolly but neither are expected to be rushed back for this game. Aron Gunnarsson is expected to be out for another month with an ankle injury.
Bolton travel to Wales without Darren Pratley, who is out with a broken leg and midfielder Jem Karacan who is also injured. Adam Le Fondre scored Bolton’s goal on the weekend and could start this game.
Cardiff’s home form coupled with Bolton’s results on the road suggest a home win from this game and we should see goals, with over 2.5 a real possibility.